Fairy Tale by Stephen King

Fairy Tale

Author: Stephen King

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism

Format: Physical from Blackbird Books & Coffee

Publish Date: September 2022

Read: September 2023

Favorite Quote: Irony, it’s good for your blood.

Story Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Charlie Reade finds himself an unwitting local hero when he gets help for Mr. Bowditch - an older, single man - who has fallen off his ladder. When Bowditch goes to the hospital, Charlie agrees to look after Bowditch’s dog, Radar. From there, an unlikely friendship blooms between Bowditch and Charlie. As Charlie spends more time at Bowditch’s house, he comes to learn about the mysterious, padlocked shed. After learning the truth about the shed, Charlie and Radar embark upon an adventure into Empis, another world full of magic, a cursed land, and a prophecy that Charlie must help to fulfill.

Why does this book beguile? I absolutely LOVED this story. Fairy Tale is my first Stephen King novel and it was delightful. On the surface, the story is excellent and a true hero’s journey. Underneath the main story, however, are dozens upon dozens of blatant and subtle references to other books, common fairy tales, and other worlds. Stephen King has a knack for astutely capturing the character of a young man in the twenty-first century as well as writing a curmudgeonly gentleman equally well. King's allusions to present-day politics, public opinion, and societal change are woven beautifully.

Fairy Tale is the perfect blend of modern-day fiction and heartwarming fantasy.

Rating: 5/5

Link*: Fairy Tale by Stephen King

If you like this, read*: Babel by R.F. Kuang